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Education program has helped 12 mini schools: foundation
QUALITY:
After assisting the schools in promoting a well-rounded education, the foundation is calling on more schools in rural areas to join its program
By Jenny W. Hsu
STAFF REPORTER
Sunday, Oct 28, 2007, Page 2
Twelve small schools have been successfully "resuscitated" after a year of collaborative work between the Eden Social Welfare Foundation and a magazine publisher to help disadvantaged students in often-ignored areas around the country, a foundation official said yesterday.
The 12 schools -- each of which has less than 100 students -- have not only been sustained but also rejuvenated to create a dynamic environment conducive to learning, foundation director Huang Cho-sung (¶ÀµZ·C) told a press conference.
artworks
Presenting several art projects and a shadow play by the students, Huang said: "These artworks and achievements are evidence of the school administrations' dedication and creativity in ensuring the best possible and most well-rounded education for their students."
The aim of the collaborative project with Global Views Monthly was to ensure quality education for all students, regardless of location or socio-economic status, he said.
So far, 12 schools in seven counties -- Taipei, Tainan, Hualien, Yunlin, Chiayi, Nantou and Kaohsiung -- have benefited from the program.
Lin Fei-shuan (ªL´´Á÷), principal of Guangying Elementary School in Nantou County, said that after the devastating earthquake in September 1999, the school had fewer than 32 students. But with the help of parents, teachers and the program, enrolment has increased to 60.
In addition to the regular academic curriculum, he said, students have been taught to swim, play badminton, spin a top, ride a unicycle and jump rope.
eco-literate
Another elementary school in Tainan employs an eco-literate curriculum that focuses on teaching and learning about environmental conservation through first-hand contact with local fauna and flora.
Global Views Monthly editor-in-chief Yang Ma-li (·¨º¿§Q) said there are more than 500 mini-schools in rural Taiwan. Without immediate intervention, the wealth disparity between these students and those in the cities would only widen further, Yang said.
The foundation is encouraging more schools to participate in the second wave of the program. Applications are available on the foundation's Web site.
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